Elizabeth Bifuh-Ambe is an Associate Professor, Language Arts & Literacy in the College of Education at UMass Lowell.

Elizabeth Bifuh, Ph.D.

Associate Professor

College
Fine Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences
Department
School of Education
Phone
(978) 934-4606
Office
Coburn Hall - 207 E
Email
Elizabeth_Bifuh@uml.edu
Links

Expertise

Curriculum & Instruction

Research Interests

Literacy Development and Assessment (k-12), English as Second Language (ESL/EL), and Multicultural Education.

Education

  • Ph D: Education, (2005), University of Southern Mississippi - Hattiesburg, MS
    Supporting Area: Language Arts and Literacy
  • MA: Education: Curriculum and Instruction, (2001), University of Southern Mississippi - Hattiesburg, MS
    Supporting Area: Reading Instruction
  • Other: Education, (1985), University of Yaoundé, Ecole Normale Superieure - Yaoundé, Cameroon
  • BA: Modern Letters, (1983), University of Yaoundé - Yaoundé, Cameroon

Selected Awards and Honors

  • American Association of University Women, Massachusetts:Honorary Member (2008), Leadership
  • Division of Students' Affairs Recognition/Distinction (2008), Teaching - UNCW
  • Division of Students' Affairs Recognition/Distinction (2007), Leadership - UNCW
  • The Afro-American Student Organization Award for Academic Excellence (2003), Leadership

Selected Publications

  • Bifuh-Ambe, E. (2021). Embracing Otherness in the Self that Teaches. In (Hall, P. & Brault, A.) (Eds.) Academia from the inside: Pedagogies for self and Other (pp. 93-11). Switzerland: Palgrave McMillan. Academia from the Inside, SpringerLink
  • Tham, T & Bifuh-Ambe, E. (2021) Ethnic Identity among Second-Generation Vietnamese American Adolescents. Journal of Ethnic and Cultural Studies, 8(2).
  • Bifuh-Ambe, E. (October, 2020). Examining elementary teachers’ feelings of self-efficacy as writers: Do the writing samples well more compelling stories? Teaching Writing: The Journal of Writing Teacher Education 9(2).
  • Bifuh-Ambe, E. (July, 2020). Educational policy for Postcolonial Africa. In Oxford Research Encyclopedia of Education. Oxford University Press.
  • Bifuh-Ambe, E. (2020). Harnessing the Transformational Potential of Education to Meet National and Global Developmental Needs of Southern Cameroons: Re-Thinking Theory and Practice. Theory & Event, Published by Johns Hopkins University Press. Vol. 23, (2), pp. 445-463.
  • Bifuh-Ambe, E. (2013). Developing Successful Writing Teachers: Outcomes of Professional Development Exploring teachers’ perceptions of themselves as writers and writing teachers and their students’ attitudes and abilities to write across the curriculum. English Teaching: Practice and Critique,12(3).
  • Bifuh-Ambe, E. (Paula Burnes), (2011). Through the eyes of the other: A pre-service teacher’s journey towards multicultural competence. Networks: An Online Journal for Teacher Research,13(1) 1-10.
  • Bifuh-Ambe, E. (Reid-Griffin, Angelia) (2010). Testing the thrill of technology: Pre-service teachers’ perceptions of paper-and-pencil versus computer-based concept mapping. Journal of Technology Integration in the Classroom, 2(1), 37-46.
  • Bifuh-Ambe, E. (2009). Literacy skills acquisition and use: A study of an English language learner (ELL) in a U.S. university context. Adult Basic Education and Literacy Journal,3(1) 24-33.
  • Bifuh-Ambe, E., Reid-Griffin, A. (2009). Using Concept Maps in Instructional Planning: An Innovative Approach to Teaching Pre-service Educators. Southeastern Teacher Education Journal,2(2) 167-179.
  • Bifuh-Ambe, E. (2007). Inviting Reluctant Adolescent Readers into the Literacy Club: Some Comprehension Strategies to Tutor Individuals or Small Groups of Reluctant Readers. Journal of Adolescent & Adult Literacy,50(8) 632-639.
  • Bifuh-Ambe, E. (2007). The Process of English Language Acquisition and use of Content Area Literacy Strategies| A Case Study of English Language Learners (ELLs) at the University Level.
  • Bifuh-Ambe, E. (2006). Fostering Multicultural Appreciation in Pre-service Teachers through Multicultural Curricular Transformation. Teaching and Teacher Education,22(6) 690-699.
  • Bifuh-Ambe, E. (2004). Content area reading: A study of an English Second Language college student. Journal of Content Area Reading. Content Area Reading Special Interest Group International Reading Association ,3(1) 37-69.

Selected Presentations

Bifuh-Ambe, E. Maureen Hall, Tyra Mendez (December, 2020) Activating Lectio Divina as a Transformative Process for Anti-racism Engagement and Empowerment. CUMU Learning & Sharing Virtual Series Best Practice Session.
Tran, T. T. & Bifuh-Ambe, E. (November 2020). Developing Vietnamese Immigrant Youths’ Multicultural Identities through Programs that Improve Self-esteem and Agency. NAME; National Association of Multicultural Association, (Virtual Presentation due to COVID 19)
Tran, T. T. & Bifuh-Ambe, E. (April 17-21 2020) Exploration of Ethnic Identity Development Among Second-Generation Vietnamese American Adolescents [Roundtable Session]. AERA Annual Meeting San Francisco, CA. (Virtual Presentation due to COVID).
Bifuh-Ambe E., Kalala, B.L., & Kamende, Q., Bih. M. (December, 2019). Africa-Diaspora Meaning-Making Research Initiatives Methodology and Scholarly Writing Workshops; organized by the Council for Development of Social Science Research in Africa. (CODESRAI). (Group Mentor and General Workshop Facilitator). Topic: Rapid transformation of epistemology and student demands in the African higher education landscape: The Case of the University of the Western Cape (Kigali, Rwanda).
Bifuh-Ambe , E. (November 2019), The National Association of Multicultural Education (NAME). Topic: Harnessing the Transformational Power of Education in Sub-Saharan Africa, to Meet Local and Global Needs (Tucson, Arizona).
Bifuh- Ambe, E. (May, 2019) ACCS-IAFOR: Designing Transformational Education Policies for Sub-Saharan African Countries: Re-Thinking Theory and Practice in Global Engagement and Development (Tokyo, Japan).
Bifuh-Ambe, E. (Feb. 2019). Eastern Education Research Association (EERA) Designing Education Policy for Emerging Economies in Sub-Saharan Africa: The Case of Southern Cameroons (Myrtle Beach, South Carolina).
Bifuh-Ambe, E. (April, 2017) The Massachusetts Reading Association(MRA). Examining Teachers’ Sense of Self-Efficacy as Writers and Writing Teachers within the Context of Professional Development; Quincy, MA.
Bifuh-Ambe, E. (April, 2017) New England Educational Research Organization conference (NEERO), Building Strong Culturally Competent, Multicultural Schools: Broken Promises, Challenges and Opportunities Building Strong Culturally Competent, Multicultural Schools: Portsmouth, NH.
Bifuh-Ambe, E. (February, 2017) Eastern Education Research Association (EERA) Building Strong Culturally Competent, Multicultural Schools: Broken Promises, Challenges and Opportunities Building Strong Culturally Competent, Multicultural Schools; Richmond, VA.
Bifuh-Ambe, E. (October 2016). GSE Colloquium, Elementary Teachers’ Feelings of Self-efficacy as Writers and Writing Teachers. UML.
Bifuh-Ambe, E. (September 2015) The Role of Professional Development in Improving Teachers’ Sense of Self-Efficacy as Writers and Writing Teachers. 9th Pan African Literacy for All Conference & The 10th RASA National Literacy Conference, Cape Town, South Africa.
Bifuh-Ambe, E. (EERA, February, 2015). Teachers’ Self-Efficacy Portraits as Writers: Do the Written Samples Provide a More Compelling Narrative? Sarasota, Fl.
Bifuh-Ambe, E.(NEERO, April 2014). Towards a Grounded Theory of Content Area Literacy Strategies for English Learners (EL) at College Level: Case Studies of English Learners in U.S. Universities. Vermont.
Zhao, Q., & Bifuh-Ambe, E. (2013, April) How Does L2 Anxiety impact Chinese International Students’ Academic Adjustment? Exploring Language anxiety in the Second Language (l2) Academic Context for Chinese International Students in U.S. Universities. Paper presented at the NEERO Conference, Portsmouth, NH.
Bifuh-Ambe, E. (2012). Developing Successful Teacher and Student Writers: Outcomes of Professional Development Workshops Focusing on Writing across the Curriculum and Across Domains. Research Poster presented at The International Reading Association (IRA) 57th Annual Convention, Chicago, IL.
Zhao, Q. Bifuh-Ambe, E., & Colombo, M. (2012, March). How Does L2 Anxiety impact Chinese International Students’ Academic Adjustment? Poster presented at the TESOL International Convention, Philadelphia, PA.
Bifuh-Ambe, E. (2011, January). Improving Elementary Students’ Writing Proficiency: The impact of Professional Development on Teachers. Paper presented at the Hawaii International Conference on Education, Honolulu, HI.
Bifuh-Ambe, E., Boggan, M. (2011, January). Retaining Quality Teachers through Effective Beginning Teachers’ Support Programs: A Pilot Study. Paper presented at the Hawaii International Conference on Education, Honolulu, HI.
Boggan, M. & Bifuh-Ambe, E. (2011, January). Can Resiliency Training help Students become more Resilient? Paper and published proceedings presented at The Hawaii International Conference on Education, Honolulu, HI. pp.1043-1057.
Bifuh-Ambe , E. Harper, S., Kimberly, T., Shirley, T., Tucker, C., Moore, K. (2011, October). Integrating Geometry with Children's Literature and Art with focus on PK-2 grade levels. Workshop presented to in-service teachers at the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics, Indianapolis, IN.
Dean, R; Dagostino, L, & Bifuh-Ambe E. (2010, October). Effects of Cognitive Process and Decision Making Training in Reading Experience with Underachieving College Students. Paper presented at the Northeastern Educational Research Association (NERA), Rocky Hill, CT.
Bifuh-Ambe, E. & Tiapo B. (2009, October). An Investigation of Teacher Attitudes and Beliefs about ESL Students: Is Improved Professional Development for Mainstream Teachers the Answer? Paper presented at the National Association for Multicultural Education International Conference, Denver, CO.
Harper, S., Bifuh-Ambe, E. & Moore, K. (2009, October). Bridging Mathematics and Literacy with Children’s Books and Manipulatives. Workshop presented at the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics, Regional Conference, Boston, MA.
Bifuh-Ambe, E. (2009, January). Literacy Strategies in Action: Tutoring Individual or Small Groups of Struggling Adolescent Readers. Paper presented at the Hawaii International Conference on Education, Honolulu, HI.
Bifuh-Ambe, E., & Harper, S. (2009, January). Challenges in Language Acquisition and Content Learning: ELLs at Post-Secondary Levels. Paper presented at the Hawaii International Conference on Education, Honolulu, HI.
Harper, S. & Bifuh-Ambe, E. (2009). Elementary Pre-service Teachers and Technology: Are they Ready? Paper presented at the Hawaii International Conference on Education, Honolulu, HI.
Bifuh-Ambe, E., Reid-Griffin, A. (2008, March). Concept Mapping Software: It’s Use in an Instructional Design Course. Paper presented at the Society for Information Technology & Teacher Education International (AACE-SITE), Conference, Las Vegas, NV.
Ambe, E. (2007). Strategies that English language Learners Say they Use: A Study of English Language Learners (ELLs) in University Classrooms. Paper presented at the North Carolina Association for Research in Education (NCARE) Greensboro, NC.

Selected Contracts, Fellowships, Grants and Sponsored Research

  • (2021) MRI - Council for the Development of Social Science Research in Africa (CODESRIA) - Examining: “African Higher Education in a COVID-19 and post COVID-19 world"
    Bifuh-Ambe, E. - Mentor (CO-PIs) : Quinta Kemende, Beyala Laurent, Martina Bi-Ambe
  • CODESRIA 2019 (Principal) Africa-Diaspora Meaning-Making Research Initiatives Grant. (Co-PIs, Kalala, B.L., Kamende, Q., & Bih. M.
  • Joseph P. Healy Endowment Grant (), Grant - UML
    Ambe, E. (Co-Principal)
  • Service Learning mini-grants (), Grant - UMass Lowell
    Ambe, E. (Principal)
  • Service Learning mini-grants (), - UMass Dartmouth/Lowell
    Ambe, E. (Principal)
  • Preparing Excellent Teachers for All Language Learners (PETALLs) (2012), Grant -
    Bifuh-Ambe, E. (Co-Principal)
  • Tewksbury and UML K-12 Literacy Instruction Partnership for Professional Development (2009), Grant - Massachusetts Department of Secondary and Elementary Education
    Bifuh-Ambe, E. (Principal), Kim, M.J., Simmons, J.W.,
  • E-Learning (PT3) Grant for Designing and using Web-enhanced Instructional Materials for Reading Foundations K-6 (2005), Grant - Watson School of Education, UNCW
    Bifuh-Ambe, E. (Principal)
  • UNICEF, 1999 (Principal) Education of Girls in Niger, West Africa
  • UNICEF, 1999, (Principal ) Early Marriages of Girls in Niger, West Africa